October 2025

NO LONGER STRANGERS is a resource from Week of Compassion focused on telling personal stories and exploring the changing landscape and faithful responses to immigrant and refugee concerns.
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DEACON EUDOXIE

About a year and a half ago, a man named Eudoxie [not his legal name] began
attending the congregation I serve in a Maryland suburb of Washington DC. Every week, he showed up with an infectious smile, a willingness to help others, and his personal Bible – clearly well-used – tucked under his arm.

It didn’t take Eudoxie long to go from “visitor” to “regular attender” to “member”– he was eager to learn more about who we were as Disciples, and to be a part of our warm congregation. He had agreed to be a deacon, which was a natural fit for the work he was already doing.

The last time I saw Eudoxie, he was volunteering at a twice-weekly hot meal program we host; I walked through the fellowship hall, he was wiping down a table, smiled, and exclaimed with his characteristic warmth, “Happy Tuesday, Pastor!”

Two days later, while working in his yard, ICE came to his house and detained him.

After many many urgent emails and phone calls, I had the unique experience of being able to visit him in the Baltimore Hold Room. This is a notorious facility, and with the help of some key folks, the ICE Field Director gave me unique and explicit permission to visit.

I was the first clergyperson to gain this access, and quite likely the last. Throughout the experience, even with the privilege of being a white woman in a clergy collar, I was dismissed and treated poorly. I kept thinking how much harder it would be for someone without those visible signs of privilege, or who couldn’t afford the $20 parking, or who doesn’t speak English well.

The system is set up to discourage visits, to decrease morale, and to keep families separated.

When I finally made it to the Hold Room – on a dated, worn-down upper floor of a federal building in downtown Baltimore – I could hear the agents talking from behind the wall, expressing their frustration and annoyance that I was allowed to be there. It was clear they weren’t going to make it easy.

They led me to a room – a small concrete room with phones to talk through plexiglass – and eventually, Eudoxie walked in, that smile still on his face. We talked for a few minutes about what was happening, and where God could be found even in that place. We talked about his treatment and his hopes, and how any time he broke bread, even if separated from us physically, that Christ was with him.

We talked about and trust that our Communion extends to him.

Eudoxie asked if he could get me his personal belongings to take with me, and stepped out thinking he’d be able to come back, which he never did. After a lot of advocating, not backing down, and waiting around for what felt like an eternity, an agent emerged with a plastic bag marked “Homeland Security” with Eudoxie's personal items inside. When I got home, I laid out all his belongings, called a close friend of his to pick them up, and cried.

It has been a long and difficult road for Eudoxie. Even though he had no criminal background, both his asylum and his bond have continued to be denied. The judge smugly told him that since he didn't have a wife and didn't have a steady job (he worked odd jobs to make ends meet), he "had no commitment to the community" – even though he had multiple letters of support stating otherwise (including one from me).

But here's the thing - they also are not moving forward with removal proceedings. Instead of letting him go or even deporting him, the corporations who make money on detentions are getting richer, even as they feed him small amounts of stale food to keep him alive.

We are hoping to get his own words about this experience to share in the future, but in the meantime, please keep Eudoxie in your prayers – for uplifted spirits and provision of supplies. If it’s surprising to you to hear of someone who isn’t a “violent criminal” but has been detained, please know that his story could be repeated time and time again.

His situation is not unique.

Our congregation is continuing to support Eudoxie, in prayer, in writing letters and cards, and through financial support. We appreciate the support of Week of Compassion, as we join in the work of all Disciples, that we might be a movement for wholeness in such an incredibly and sinfully fragmented world.

Rev. Sara Nave-Fisher, Senior Pastor
University Christian Church, Hyattsville MD

If your congregation is interested learning more about supporting immigrants in detention, contact Grace Kozak.

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STAY INFORMED
news, events, and ongoing discussions that inform this work

MEETING FACE TO FACE
Rev. Grace Kozak, Associate Director for Immigrant & Refugee Response

The Bible is full of stories of people who were transformed by face-to-face encounters. One I have been reflecting on recently is the story of the ten men with skin disease seeking healing from their bodily afflictions in Luke 17. I find the story interesting because while all ten men were cleansed by Jesus, only one, the foreigner, came face to face with Jesus, and he was the only one who the text says is made “well.”

I think this is an important distinction because it reflects the relational nature of how we come to truly be well. No one is capable of healing on their own, just as no one is able to solve the problems of their communities through their own individual efforts. This is why I enjoy the monthly call for Disciples who are engaged in ministry with immigrants and refugees so much. While we cannot be in the same physical space, once a month we come together face-to-face through the wonders of technology and hear each other's stories, think together about how we can support one another, and make meaningfulconnections that strengthen us all.

I invite you to sign up for this monthly call which takes place on the fourth Thursday of the month at 3:00 and 7:00pm Eastern. You can come to the call that best fits your schedule. We will be taking November and December off for the holiday season, but I look forward to encountering you face-to-face on January 22nd!

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GUARDIANS NEEDED
Unaccompanied minors who have immigrated to the United States are currently vulnerable to detention and deportation. Congregations have the ability to provide tangible support to these youth in New York by becoming a guardian to one of the youth seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, one pathway to a green card and citizenship.

Attorney Jonelle Ocloo, the Disciples of Christ Immigration Attorney, will be hosting an informational session detailing the guardianship process and how you can get involved. There are currently 300 youth who will age out of the process in the coming year, so the need for support is critical. You do not need to be a New York resident to provide guardianship support.

Join us on Zoom on November 5th at 6:00pm Eastern. You must register to attend. For security purposes, do not share the meeting zoom link with others, but you are welcome to share the registration link with anyone you think would like to attend and learn more information.

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RESOURCES
links to videos, documents, articles, and opportunities for congregations

OPERATION CACTI COMPASSION CARE PROJECT
The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come…" - Isaiah 35:1-4a

Welcome to Operation Cacti!
Operation Cacti is an educational and biblical resource designed for families (with kids ages 5-17), pastors, and churches being directly affected by current immigration policies and for those who seek to be in solidarity with them.

How does it work?
Operation Cacti is a resource kit that families, starting in the Pacific Southwest Region, will receive through their churches. It is made for a family home setting but can be adapted for church gatherings. While the physical kits are being piloted in the PSWR, churches across the country will soon be able to download the resources from the Week of Compassion website. You can also reach out to Esther Robles or Grace Kozak to learn more about getting kits for the immigrant churches and children in your area. While the kits were designed with immigrant children in mind, the educational resources that will be available to download can be used in any congregation.

LEARN MORE about Operation Cacti!

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All God's Children: A Christian Response to Immigration is a converation between Rev. Grace Kozak (Week of Compassion) and Rev. Brian Frederick-Gray (DHM Justice & Advocacy Ministries), prepared for a recent event with the Christian Church in Nebraska. This helpful 'immigration 101' introductory conversation is available here for congregations to watch, download, and share.